Protector for drinking-glasses, &amp;c.



R; CLARKE. v PROTECTOR FOR DRINKING GLASSES, 6m.

urmouxon FILED 1111111 23, 1910.

1,000,581 Patentgd Aug. 15, 1911.

" TIMI 1136f ROBERT CLARKE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PROTECTOR FOR DRINKING-GLASSES, 8w.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

Application filed June 23, 1910. Serial No. 568,593.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT CLARKE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Protectors for Drinking-Glasses, &c., of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, cheap and ornamental means for protecting the flanged bases of tumblers, medicine glasses and other articles of a frangible nature which are readily chipped or broken by contact with tables or other hard objects and to prevent drippings adhering to the bottoms of such vessels when raised. The invention is applicable, for instance, to beer glasses which are likely to be broken in setting them down on stone slabs or counters and which are liable to drip when raised from a wet counter.

My invention comprises an endless elastic coil which is adapted to surround the base of a receptacle and grip and sustain the same and hold it from contact with a table or other support upon which it may rest. My improved protector is also elastic and forms a cushion to prevent breakage of the base of the vessel when setting it down.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ordinary tumbler provided with my improved base protector; Fig. 2 is a partial plan view; Fig. 3 is a partial side view, the protector being shown in section.

Referring to the drawing, A indicates a vessel having a flange or disk-like base B, and C indicates the holder or protector for the base.

The improved protector comprises a continuous coil of suitable wire each convolution or turn of the coil having a convex outer portion 1 and a reentrant or concave inner portion 2. The coil is composed of elastic wire which is light enough to form a suitable cushion and stiff enough to grasp the base of the vessel and hold it securely. The contour of each convolution of the coil is preferably symmetrical so that it is immaterial which side of the coil is uppermost when. it is in place on the vessel. The under portion of each convolution extends under the base and it will be evident that it will yield considerably when the vessel is set upon a table or counter with some force and will thus protect the vessel from damage. The particular contour of the convolutions or turns of the coil may be varied to suit vessels of diiferent kinds or vessels having different bases.

My improved protector may be made of any suitable resilient metal and may be finished with a plating of nickel, gold, silver or other metal. When suitably finished it is quite ornamental as well as useful. It is inexpensive to manufacture and the saving of tumblers and other .vessels effected by using it renders its use profitable.

It will be understood that the protector can be readily placed in position simply by expanding it and slipping it over the flange or base of the vessel and that it can be as readily removed. The elasticity of the coil causes it to securely grip the base and prevents accidental removal.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is,

1. A protector for frangible vessels comprising a coil of elastic material adapted to surround and grip the base of the vessel, each convolution or turn of the coil having an inwardly projecting or reentrant portion adapted to receive the base of the vessel.

2. A protector for frangible vessels comprising a continuous coil of elastice wire adapted to surround and grip the base of the vessel, each convolution or turn of the coil having a convex outer portion and a concave or reentrant inner portion, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT CLARKE.

Witnesses RoB'r. H. CLARKE, CHARLES F. CLARKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

